PhD Position in Physics: Pushing the Boundaries of Optical Molecular Imaging (m/f/div)

Jobbeschreibung

At the Max Planck Institute for Medical Research, one of the 84 institutes of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science, physicists, chemists, and biologists create knowledge of long-term rele­vance to life and basic medical sciences. Currently, our around 270 employees are divided into four departments and two Max Planck Research Groups. In addition, the institute is part of the Health + Life Science Alliance Heidelberg Mannheim – an association of the leading life science research institutions in the region.

PhD Position in Physics: Pushing the Boundaries of Optical Molecular Imaging (m/f/div)


The Department of Prof. Dr. Stefan W. Hell invites applications for a PhD position at the inter­sections of optical science, molecular imaging, and biophysics to start as soon as possible. Opportunities are available in Heidelberg and Göttingen for highly motivated physicists who are interested in working in a world-leading, multidisciplinary research group. The successful candidate will be able to apply for ad­mission to the Max Planck School of Photonics or Göttingen Graduate Center for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences (GGNB).

The MINFLUX (Balzarotti et al., Science 2017) and MINSTED (Weber et al., Nature Photonics 2021) concepts have unlocked the door to minimally invasive, low-light-level analysis of the struc­ture and dynamics of macromolecules at the nano­meter scale (Wirth et al., Science 2023; Schleske et al., PNAS 2024). This includes experiments at 1-nm resolution and with Ångström measurement precision (Sahl et al. Science 2024). The successful candidate will work on next-generation MINFLUX optical instru­men­tation.


  • candidates should have earned (or expect to complete soon) a Master's degree in physics, bio­physics, or a comparable qualification
  • a willingness to learn and master new challenges
  • confidence and the ability to work independently and within a team
  • a strong attention to detail and high level of critical thinking
  • previous experience with related techniques (photonics, fluorescence, imaging or biochemical methods) is helpful but not essential

  • interesting, diversified tasks with self-responsibility
  • flexible working hours
  • highly motivated team
  • internationally oriented institute with an outstanding working environment

The payment is based on the TVöD guidelines (“Promotionsfördervertrag”). The PhD positions are limited to three years with a possibility of extension.
The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of indivi­duals with disabi­lities in its work­force and therefore encourages applications from such qualified indi­viduals. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome appli­cations from all back­grounds. Further­more, the Max Planck Society seeks to in­crease the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. A day­care center for children is located near the institute.

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